Gordon Richards dies aged 68

The famous racing stables at Greystoke were shrouded in gloom yesterday as family and staff came to terms with the death of the man known as "The Boss". Gordon Richards (68) one of the longest-serving and most successful jumping trainers, died on Tuesday night in the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, after a long illness.

As the news leaked out the tributes flowed in for the man who won most of jumping's biggest prizes, including the Grand National with Lucius and Hallo Dandy.

Richards, born near Bath and the son of a timber merchant, was responsible for more than 2,000 winners since receiving his first training licence in 1964.

Richards' son Nicky and daughter Jo have taken over the running of the yard on a temporary licence.

"Father put up a brave fight and he was still doing the entries until he was taken into hospital at the weekend," said Nicky.

"It's had to be business as usual today though it's been a shock to everybody and it's been a very sombre yard. As you would expect first lot was very quiet.

"But we've a good staff here and we'll be soldiering on. We've been faxed a temporary licence by the Jockey Club.

"We've got horses entered up at the weekend but I don't know when our next runner will be. Some of the owners may not want runners for a few days as a mark of respect."

At Newcastle racecourse, a regular haunt of the trainer, there was a one minute's silence before racing began today as a mark of respect.

Former champion trainer David Nicholson said: "I've always considered Gordon to be a great friend and a great trainer who you could always go to for advice.

"He was also a great friend of my father (Frenchie) and his death is a great loss to all who know him and a great loss to racing."

Richards was best known in recent years for his handling of the brilliant One Man.

The grey won the King George VI Chase twice and romped to victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March before being killed at Aintree.

Richards, the eldest of 10 children, began his career in racing as an apprentice at the age of 11 but had to wait two years before getting his first racecourse ride at Salisbury.

It was at that course that an official told him he needed a name change as it was the same as the legendary jockey, who was later to be knighted.

So it was that Gordon W Richards eventually moved north to Northumberland to seek his fortune.

Injury brought his riding career to an end and he set up as a horse dealer and livery yard owner at Beadnell.

But after a request from a neighbour to help out he reluctantly began training, being granted his first licence in 1964.

Four years later and Richards moved cross country to his current base and, beginning with the talented Playlord, started winning many of the best chases across the country.

He was a popular man, his rounded vowels betraying his West Country roots, but he built up a reputation for being a formidable employer.

Retired jockey Neale Doughty, the rider of Richards' second National winner Hallo Dandy and with the trainer on and off for 14 years, said: "He was a great bloke to work for - hard but fair. He was known as "The Boss" and he was the boss.

"He was very competitive and we were both of a similar ilk. I would say of all his jockeys our relationship was the stormiest - maybe that's why I survived the longest."

Richards suffered plenty of heartbreak along the way, seeing top horses such as Playlord, Noddy's Ryde, Full Strength and One Man killed in action.

Most of the big races were won but One Man was never able to realise the trainer's dream of winning the Gold Cup.

Some thought the grey was unsuited by Cheltenham but he kicked that theory into touch when romping home in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Unfortunately because of his illness Richards missed the triumph. He recovered sufficiently to go to see One Man at Aintree a few weeks later but it ended in disaster when the popular gelding was fatally injured.

"Gordon used to take the loss of his horses hard," said Doughty. "Straight away after One Man was killed he was out at the sales and scouring the fields for another good one. He thought that was the best way of getting over it."

Howard Johnson, a friend and training colleague, said: "Gordon ranks alongside Arthur Stephenson as a trainer. It's going to be strange going to the races and not seeing Gordon - he'll be greatly missed.

"I just hope Nicky can keep things going at Greystoke. He's a good lad and he knows his stuff."

Former champion jockey Jonjo O'Neill, now a trainer, said: "I was with Gordon for five years when I first came over from Ireland in 1972 and he was simply the best in the field."

Tony Dobbin, the current number one jockey at the Greystoke yard, said: "Without doubt he gave me the most memorable moments of my career.

"He offered me the job of stable jockey shortly after I was champion conditional and I was delighted to take it.

"He was a master of his profession - a legend - and will be sadly missed."

Another jockey at the stables, Brian Harding said: "He was a hard man but he was always very fair and decent to me. When I was stood down for 12 months he really looked after me and I will never forget him for that."

The family of the trainer yesterday thanked all within the racing industry and beyond who have offered messages of sympathy.

The funeral, to which all are welcome, will be held at St Andrew's Church, Greystoke, at 2 p.m. on Monday. Family flowers only are requested with donations split between the McMillan Nurses Appeal and the Stable Lads' Welfare Trust.